Vw

I recently took the new VW Golf VI for a ride to see how much has really changed since the Mk5. After the success of the Mk5, it was clear that the Mk6 had much to live up to.

The moment I left the driveway I could tell the ride is much softer than it was which made me a bit concerned as to whether it would have any effect on handling. I am happy to report that is not the case. The Mk6 now features VW’s EDL (Electronic Differential Lock) which works by applying pressure to front inner wheel exactly where it is needed on fast cornering to prevent spinning. This maximizes traction, reduces under steer and improves response.

The Mk6 manages to achieve a perfect and subtle blend between performance handling and comfort driving. Under intense driving the GTi has a steering pulse which alerts you that the limit of traction is about to be reached, so you don’t end up sliding into a ditch.

So handling wise the car hits the nail on the head once again, but performance was the one area where the Mk5 needed attention since it was outperformed by the other hot hatches. VW’s answer was to make the engine 3kg lighter and adding on a supercharger to the turbocharged 2.0l engine increasing the power output to 155kw and 280Nm torque, with the torque kicking in at 1800rpm. This launches the GTi from 0 – 100km/h in 6.9 seconds and takes it to a top speed of 240km/h. In the DSG model, which is the same one I drove, you get a dual clutch semi-auto gearbox, so the one clutch is leading while the other preselects the next gear, making gear changes smoother and quicker.

As both a family and performance car the Golf GTi is an absolute pleasure. With a 275 liter boot, loads of legroom and an impressive 6.1 liters per 100km, it’s a perfect blend of the two. You can really point its nose in the direction you want to go and shoot at it. Safety features include ABS, EBD, ESP, adjustable whiplash optimized head restraints and 7 airbags, making the GTi one of the safest cars ever built and giving it 5-star Euro NCAP rating.

There are a couple of other cars to choose from in the same price class as the Mk6 GTi, but for a balanced combination of speed, luxury, reliability and practicality I’d say the GTi is certainly one of the best.

The wait for the initial specs and the photographs of the three-door Volkswagen Polo is over. VW has indeed detailed the car before its Frankfurt unveiling next month. The car features three different trim levels with the base Trendline model coming with standard ESP, daytime running lights, electric front windows, central locking, and tinted glasses. Next up is the Comfortline which comes with body-colored exterior accents, chrome trim, AC, faux aluminum interior details and an interesting split folding rear seat.

The top of the line is the Highline with additional chrome trim, 15-inch alloy wheels and fog lights on the outside. On the inside you get a three-spoke leather steering wheel, a multi-function display, and height-adjustable sport seats. With the three variants, the customers will get to choose from six engine options, three diesel variants and three petrol ones. The price for the Polo 3-door starts at €12,150. [via WCF]

The latest version of the 2010 Volkswagen Saveiro, a compact pickup built in Brazil, will be released in the South American market. The Saveiro is a direct competitor against the likes of Chevrolet Montana and Fiat Strada. The Saveiro will come with a single engine rendering different outputs. While the 1.6-litre VHT petrol will produce 101hp, the ethanol version will render a slightly higher 104hp. There are three trim levels available- 1.6L base, 1.6L Trend and 1.6L Trooper. The base model is simple with unpainted bumpers and a very simple interior; however the trend has body colored bumpers. The top model, targets young buyers as it is visually more specified. [via autoblog.it]

Volkswagen has already announced a hybrid version of the Touareg and true to its promises it surely looks to be heading to the production floor sometime soon. The 2011 Next-gen VW Touareg Hybrid variant was spotted testing for hot-weather conditions in the American Southwest and as usual wasn’t spared by the spy cameras. As per speculations, the hybrid variant will be 300kgs lighter than its predecessor despite the fact that it will swell in size and will feature a third row of seats. The styling changes will include a new grill, front apron and newly designed lights. The engine options will include a 3.6 liter V6 and a 4.2 liter V8 engine. The hybrid variant will be fitted with a 3.0 liter V6 assisted by an electric motor. The ones concerned with the towing capacity issues should not be bothered because of the fuel consumption numbers.

I used to drive a 1960 VW Bug. The car didn’t even have an fuel gauge in it. You drove it till it ran out of gas, pulled the lever on the reserve tank and hoped a gas station was nearby. VW sure has changed since that 1960 Bug. Enter the Volkswagen Amarok. It means “love stones.” Don’t think too hard about that. In Inuit Eskimo it means “wolf.” So, what are the Germans doing in Alaska looking for a name for their new truck? I don’t know, but I’d like to show this vehicle some love, wouldn’t you? [via AutoEvolution

Manufactured through the joint collaboration of Volkswagen and the Chinese from FAW, the new Passat Lingyu has been unveiled at Shanghai’s Auto 2009, together with new VW Golf. While some could say it’s just a simple Passat revision, the new Lingyu has an extended wheel base of 9.12 centimeters, offers more rear legroom and reduces fuel usage by at least 10%. With 2.8 liter and 2.0 liter V6 engines unchanged but with an upgraded 1.8-liter that sports 163 hp (up from 150hp), the new Passat Lingyu gives you a choice between a five-speed manual and automatic transmission. Not my favorite, what about you? [via auto-motor-und-sport.de]

Pretty aggressive and powerful, VW Scirocco just got a small facelift and some power tweaking from Siegen-based tuner B&B. Available for the 2.0-liter TFSI engine, the package features 6 stages of power ranging from 998 EUR for the 235hp and 340 Nm tweak, up to 350hp and 450Nm of torque. And if you’re asking what’s under the hood for the top of the line version, the folks from B&B added a a bigger turbo loader, an optimized crank shaft, forged pistons, and modified cylinder heads. So it’s all hard-work not just chips. That’s a mean Scirocco if you ask me … [via WCF]

If that surprises anyone, the new 2010 VW Polo looks a lot like the “worshiped” MkVI Golf. Better in many ways, the little city car looks mature and tries to reach to the high-end class. And after losing some weight it managed to significantly improve fuel efficiency. But if you’re considering it for what’s under the hood, too, the Germans updated it with two impressive new engines, and a option to have them mated to a 7-speed DSG transmission. And the one that got our attention the new 1.2 liter (TSI) turbocharged four-cylinder direct injection engine sports 105 hp and goes 100km on only 5.5 l of gasoline. Expected to start selling from June, the new Polo could be a hot seller with that bad economy. All it needs, is a good price. – via